As you probably know by now, it's over.
The tumultuous relationship between the ever-enjoyable Stan Van Gundy -- fired Monday after five years as Orlando Magic head coach -- and Dwight Howard is no more.
But instead of feeling too bad for Stan -- as ESPN NBA writer Marc Stein put it, the coach is "too highly regarded to stay unemployed for long" -- let's cue up the melancholy music and take a photographic trip down this Magical Memory Lane.
There were happy times ...
Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty ImagesHoward and Van Gundy in 2007, after the center signed a contract extension.
... and humorous ones.
Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty ImagesOddly, the demonstrative Van Gundy is making the second-funniest face in a photo.
There were times of nurturing ...
Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty ImagesThe two talk during practice in December 2011, before their final season together began.
... and times of respect ...
Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesVan Gundy gestures toward Howard during a January 2011 game against Detroit.
... but also, times of rebellion.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesVan Gundy gestures to Howard during their 2011 playoff series loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
AP Photo/John RaouxVan Gundy's message appears not quite heard by Howard in this April 2012 game.
And yes, things got dreary there at the end...
Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty ImagesHoward and Van Gundy in an April 2012 game. It's as if they see the train of separation coming.
Stephen M.Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Getty ImagesHoward and Van Gundy in that same April game, one of the last they'd participate in together.
But no matter what, we'll always remember the best of times.
Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty ImagesHoward and Van Gundy after winning the East title in 2009, beating LeBron James' Cleveland.
The tumultuous relationship between the ever-enjoyable Stan Van Gundy -- fired Monday after five years as Orlando Magic head coach -- and Dwight Howard is no more.
But instead of feeling too bad for Stan -- as ESPN NBA writer Marc Stein put it, the coach is "too highly regarded to stay unemployed for long" -- let's cue up the melancholy music and take a photographic trip down this Magical Memory Lane.
There were happy times ...
Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty ImagesHoward and Van Gundy in 2007, after the center signed a contract extension.... and humorous ones.
Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty ImagesOddly, the demonstrative Van Gundy is making the second-funniest face in a photo.There were times of nurturing ...
Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty ImagesThe two talk during practice in December 2011, before their final season together began.... and times of respect ...
Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesVan Gundy gestures toward Howard during a January 2011 game against Detroit.... but also, times of rebellion.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesVan Gundy gestures to Howard during their 2011 playoff series loss to the Atlanta Hawks.AP Photo/John RaouxVan Gundy's message appears not quite heard by Howard in this April 2012 game.And yes, things got dreary there at the end...
Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty ImagesHoward and Van Gundy in an April 2012 game. It's as if they see the train of separation coming.Stephen M.Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Getty ImagesHoward and Van Gundy in that same April game, one of the last they'd participate in together.But no matter what, we'll always remember the best of times.
Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty ImagesHoward and Van Gundy after winning the East title in 2009, beating LeBron James' Cleveland.
Patrick Dorsey | email
PlaybookPatrick Dorsey is a Playbook editor. He has worked for the Web and newspapers, had a cup of craft service coffee in film school, and played in one Division III golf tournament (he shot 105).
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